When the Word became flesh
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1
In Genesis 1, we read:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
God is the Word. He spoke life into existence. With His words, He shaped the heavens and the earth in just six days, resting on the seventh. Words hold power and meaning and have the ability to create life. God’s words brought light where there was none. Imagine that kind of authority and speaking “Let there be light,” and it happens.
We see it in our lives today. Think about it… those of us who have an Alexa for example, “Alexa, turn on the light,” and the light magically turns on. While it doesn’t compare to God’s divine power, it reminds us of how much words matter. Words can build or break; they can heal or harm. God showed us the importance of speaking life, and we are called to do the same; for ourselves and for others.
Jesus himself said:
“Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” -John 13:34
Take a moment to reflect on the depth of that love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” – John 3:16
He left the perfection of heaven to step into the brokenness of earth. Out of love, He joined us in this fallen world to fight against the enemy of our souls- the father of lies- Satan.
Jesus came to us humbly, a tiny, wrinkled baby born to a virgin. He grew into a man who worked with His hands, building furniture and living among His people. Despite living a sinless life, He endured mocking, hatred, and ultimately death.
Why did God send His Son to die? Out of love. God’s love for us is so vast, so unmeasurable, that He sacrificed His Son to show us the way to salvation. To prove that no matter what we’ve done, we are offered forgiveness if we choose to follow Him.
Jesus’ life was proof of both God’s love, and existence, as well as the reality of evil. He showed us that while God reigns in heaven, Satan’s influence is at work here on earth. Through Jesus, we see the ultimate example of love, true love, the kind of love that created us, sustains us, and saves us.
Think about how much you love your child, your spouse, or your family. As overwhelming as that love may feel, God loves them even more than you. His love is so pure and sacrificial that He willingly stepped into our pain to create a ministry, heal the broken, and teach us how to love.
Jesus performed miracle after miracle: feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, healing a woman who suffered for 12 years simply because of her faith, and casting out 2,000 demons from one man. Oh, and what about the three people he raised from the dead? He performed these miracles, even raising people from the dead to prove God’s power over death, yet people continued to question if he was the Son of God. He showed up for the hurting, the hated, and even His enemies. And when the time came, He willingly endured unimaginable pain for us.
Imagine this: a good and innocent man, who has only ever helped and healed, is harassed, beaten, and nailed to a cross. A man with a crown of thorns digging into His scalp, bleeding and gasping for breath, prays for the forgiveness of His tormentors. That is love.
And when He died, after all He had done, only a few people stood by His side. The crowds who witnessed His miracles didn’t show up. Yet He loved them anyway.
That’s the definition of love: sacrificial and unconditional. Without terms, and the dying of self.
God allows us to experience hardship so His greater purpose can be fulfilled. God is a selfish God, and He wants us to genuinely choose Him. Jesus said yes to that purpose. He said yes to God and came down here, to teach us, to suffer, and to die, all because He loves us.
Meanwhile, we cannot forgive the person who cut us off in a car line. And so our solution is to scream profanity at each other, resulting in physical assault and/or the death of someone innocent.
My question to you is, would you say yes if God called you?
This is the gospel. This is the Word. This is Him.
If you haven’t already, I pray you find salvation. I pray your eyes are opened to God’s unshakable love. That those scales blinding your eyes are removed. I pray you to allow Him to heal you, forgive you, and transform you so deeply that you can love even those who are hard to love and heal those who are broken back into His kingdom, and away from Satan. The world is desperate for that kind of love, and healing. Satan may have a stronghold here, but God is greater.
You have a choice: to live in Satan’s hell or God’s promise of eternal life. I promise that choosing God is worth it. Sacrificing worldly desires pales in comparison to the joy of walking with Him. I pray that one day you choose Him, just as He has always chosen to love you, anyway, always, and every day.
With lots of love,
Christina
I love this.